My story of Long Covid [a patient's journey] with Anne Thompson

It has been estimated that Covid-19 has left as many as 10% of patients, like Anne Thompson, with debilitating symptoms long after the initial infection has cleared.

In this episode of Side Effects, I talk to Anne about her journey from initial infection through to the long term impact Covid is having on her health and wellbeing. We chat about the support network and online videos (not NHS) that has / is helping her though her illness, and the impact ‘Long Covid’ could have on our healthcare system and messaging.

[1 Min] Anne's story of long Covid

[3 Mins] March 10th and 'feeling like someone standing on my chest'

[5 Mins] Post diagnosis: How I stayed out of hospital. Relying on the internet nurse videos (not the NHS)

[8 Mins] Our group of support to help us through

[9 Mins] Locked out of the Walk-in clinic

[12 Mins] My life before Covid as a fit 73yr old Labour activist

[15 Mins] Deterioration in my function and 'brain fog'

[17 Mins] Feeling the effects of long Covid

[19 Mins] The ONS study, a positive test [when I was well] and rejection from my GP

[25 Mins] My friend gets Covid a 2nd time in Bradford

[27 Mins] Improving health of the nation for all, a public health message

[29 Mins] Herd immunity vs. proactive health

[31 Mins] Magic Wand: A government that puts the life of the people first

JOIN US on Side Effects - email me at hello@weareten.co.uk

LISTEN to this series on iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher

During Alice's adventures in Wonderland, she found herself in the presence of the King of Hearts. He wanted her to go, so he cited Rule 42: "All persons more than a mile high to leave the court." Heads turned to Alice. "I'm not a mile high," she objected. "You are," said the King. The queen testified that Alice is nearly two miles tall. "Well, I shan't go, at any rate," Alice said "besides, that's not a regular rule: you invented it just now."

[0 Min] Alice in Wonderland and Rule 42. A reflection on what rules have been applied to manage Covid 19.

[2 Mins] From chevrons on the floor to kids not singing in school, where do you stand?

[3 Mins 30] Prof Christofer Toumazou (Regius Professor of Engineering, Imperial College) and a PCR test that is possibly far too  sensitive?

[5 Mins] We need more granulation on resolution data e.g. discharged through death, with ill health, or effectively well. How do we judge out proportional action?

[6 Mins 30] The need for a circuit breaker? Let's discuss this. Don't treat us all like Alice.

[7 Mins 30] Are we trying to catch the wind with a sieve? Competing paradigm's in battle.

[8 Mins 30] What do you agree with? A CTA to think about all of our filter bubbles.

JOIN US on Side Effects - email me at hello@weareten.co.uk

LISTEN to this series on iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher

The ability to debate, to explore and to challenge has (some would say) been under immense pressure in these times. Today, I explore this with Nico Macdonald and how all of our role of society especially those in the creative industries can be more 't' shaped and diverse in consideration, thinking and action.

[0 Min] How to access time with Matt on your project / sign up to the Daily Dose of inspiration

[2 Mins]  An introduction to Nico Macdonald, Nico is a pioneer in innovation and entrepreneurship. He is a visiting fellow at the School of Arts and Creative Industries at London South Bank University, and teaches at the University of East London and CIEE (the Council on International Educational Exchange). In the early 90s built a digital media studio in Shoreditch, London; led digital design for The Guardian newspaper, and for the London office of Berlin-based MetaDesign; he co-founded the international consultancy business Ascendant Partners, and worked in Silicon Valley. Since, he has founded a media innovation startup, Media Futures; been Innovation Director of Creative England; and Chief Executive of the R&D Society, a professional membership organisation. For 30 years, he has forged strong links with industry contacts from established organisations as varied the BBC, the Design Council, the British Film Institute, Arup, and DigitasLBi, as well as a wide range of start-ups and SMEs in design, media and tech. He has also written extensively on creativity and digital innovation, including articles, papers and books.

Today I talk about factors that have influenced me this year and what running, listening, design, spiritualism and dying taught me about happiness; and staying sane through 2020

[0 Min] A reflection on today

[2 Mins]  What I learnt from Steve Jobs, and looking back on his Stanford speech (2005)

[6 Mins] Rachel Clarke and her book Dear Life: Dying with dignity and focusing in life on what matters most

[7 Mins] Born to Run by Chris McDougall: How you can learn that your body is the main machine you need

[9 Mins] There is no Planet B by Mike Berners Lee: Slowing down consumption

[11 Mins] The age of Surveillance Capitalism by Shoshana Zuboff: Why all things digital lead to consumption practices that need review

[13 Mins ] The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle: Spiritual assessment and learning to be happy where you are today

[15 Mins] Side Effects and how we must make the most of what we have

[16 Mins] A move to a less egoic world?

[17 Mins] What might Steve have said?

[18 Mins] What should we strive for?

[19 Mins] What have I learnt about 2020 and my career approach?

[20 Mins] I ask you to: 1. talk to others outside of your bubble, 2. Check in with your fear and control it, 3. Stay human and connect

[22 Mins] Think Different

JOIN US on Side Effects - email me at hello@weareten.co.uk

LISTEN to this series on iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher

In the time of Face, Place and Space I talk communications and public health messaging with Charlie Druce. There is a much richer and more  empowering road ahead. Let's discuss what that is.

[0 Min] How to access time with Matt on your project / sign up to the Daily Dose of inspiration

[3 Mins]  An introduction to Charlie Druce and Coast. Executive producer used to working with Ray Winstone,  Alistair Campbell, Tamsin Outhwaite and Jurgen Klopp

[5 Mins] Delivering wanted content

[6 Mins] Depression and Me with Alistair Campbell talking depression and former alcoholism 8-10 Mn views.

[7 Mins] Prostate Cancer UK and 'Fathers Day' by Martin Sadofski with Jon Simm, Tamsin Outhwaite, Charles Dance and Ray Winstone

[9 Mins] The Research Files for AXA - using Vlog and pop science communications to reach 4mn+ and hit action rates

[10 Mins ] Media and communication today: Where are we? From 'Mass Media' to 'My Media'

[12 Mins] Broadcasters identity crisis. An existential challenge? How and who to pay for content?

[15 Mins] The Valance and Whitty show. But where  and what did public health messaging used to be? A history of the Central Office of Information

[18 Mins] HIV and AIDS campaign by COI 'Don't die of ignorance'

[20 Mins] Post 2012 and austerity and budgets slashed. Parked film on Public Health England with small audiences, with the odd spike of expensive activity. Do we spend enough on public health communications?

[23 Mins] What does 'talk to' not 'sell to' mean? The  premise of content marketing

[24 Mins] Pharmaceutical companies cannot directly sell to [except primarily in the US]

[26 Mins] Pharma vs. Public health: A long road to trust on both sides. A journey from drugs companies to health companies

[29 Mins] Trust is the holy grail. We need credible sources. We need challenge and debate.

[31 Mins] The limitations of just things like 'hands, face and space'. All advertising at present is more of the same. What is better than this?

[33 Mins] Insurance models vs. Treatment models [and the world of communications]. Reducing risk and prevention vs. treatment.

[35 Mins] AXA and Reducing risk: health, social and societal thinking. Is this the win-win?

[37 Mins] In a world of competing interests, what does the road ahead look like? 1. Fragmented, 2. Regulated and data, 3, Confluence not collision. Let's discuss the pro's and the con's

[43 Mins] The downside of polarized and too shallow a field of view?

[35 Mins] Magic Wand: A road where film can be an agent of change. Learning from Still Alice with Julie Ann Moore

[48 Mins] Finding Charlie at Coast  and charlie@coasthouse.com


JOIN US on Side Effects - email me at hello@weareten.co.uk

LISTEN to this series on iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher

In these times where the pressure of Track and Trace is ramping up around the world in the wake of expectations of a return to normality, I talk with Professor Effy Vayena from ETH Zurich about her work with the Swiss government in ethics, digital and the risks and rewards viewed under an ethical lens.

[0 Min] How to access time with Matt on your project / sign up to the Daily Dose of inspiration

[3 Mins]  An introduction to Effy Vayena and a review of Switzerland’s Covid experience [to date]

[6 Mins] The impact of fear and risk: The reality of the Covid experience.

[10 Mins] A background to ethics. The ethicist in all of us. How do we make decisions, especially in health.

[12 Mins] Digital healthcare and ethics: The opportunity, desire and the conversion of the digital and the biomedical. Beyond privacy alone.

[16 Mins] The Switzerland experience of Track and Trace and de-centralised alignment (with Google and Apple) , efficacy and privacy preserving decisions.

[20 Mins ] A more harmonious experience than the UK and a law behind the decisions.

[22 Mins] Being part of a science task force underpinning these factors in Switzerland. Decision making underpinning the experience and peoples liberties.

[24 Mins] Absolutely voluntary which was key. The law is that it cannot be mandatory. This tool has to be voluntary in a trust society.

[26 Mins] 18% download in Switzerland is not great; but actually not bad vs. other countries. Also, it is working to identify those that would have been missed by traditional tracing.

[29 Mins] The British creation of Black Mirror by Charlie Brooker. How can we avoid the Black mirror outcome?

[32 Mins] Even low case countries are now having outbreaks or second lockdown, NZ  and Israel included. We are all learning from imperfect tools. Also, the pandemic is being politicised.

[34 Mins] What about the economic impact in Switzerland? The relative successes of the Swiss social security process.

[38 Mins] The good, bad and ugly of digital health and ethics.

Good = Innovation. Bad = Rushed through tech without data security [not testing enough before release]  Ugly: Ineffectual and harmful products that destroy trust.

[42 Mins] Torn about IoT and, Product and Digital products under the lens of ethics [The Social Dilemma]

[44 Mins] Hard law vs Soft law in ethics.

[46 Mins] Magic Wand: Increased acumen- wisdom, responsibility, empathy to those in digital health to protect the many and not the few.

[48 Mins] Finding Effy online @effyvayena on Twitter

This week I talk with Samatha Oakley, Commercial Lawyer. We talk about risk, the Coronavirus act and more.

In the light of the updated regulations from the Prime Minister, we explore risk and the meaning of who is responsible for it. Then we go deeper to explore the far reaching factors of what trace this will leave on our society and our human rights.

[0 Min] How to sign up to the Daily Dose of inspiration

[2 Mins]  An introduction to Samantha and a history in media and tech convergence.

[6 Mins] What has changed in the last 6 months since we talked PPE and Masks4All? The duty of care of the government

[10 Mins] Let's talk risk and the latest updates from Boris Johnson. e.g. the young as a vectors for disease.

[12 Mins] The apportioning of risk. Is it the public or the government's responsibility (and in what  measure/ with what effect)?

[15 Mins] Are the NICE guidelines in contravention of human rights and the Equality law?

[16 Mins 30] Transmission, the young and the Chris Whitty Hypothesis: Blaming the young vs. their responsibilities.

[21 Mins] The missing wider conversations about looking after our community.

[23 Mins] The 'Freedom Pass' and hanging out with the uninfected. Is this really the future we want to target? Also, what can we learn from Marshals and US traffic cops and the side stepped 4th amendment (via 99% Invisible).

[26 Mins] Let's explore the example of attending the football at Brighton & Hove Albion FC. Where does the risk move, and why need a Freedom Path?

[30 Mins] How do you deliver for all under Public Liability: The duty of care.

[34 Mins] Discussing the Sky News report: Using £100Bn for just testing (vs £130Bn on the whole NHS).

[40 Mins] Exploring the behavioural surplus area of data and track and trace. What does this mean in the long run for human rights?

[42 Mins] The basic right to privacy: The missing Data Protection impact assessment

[45 Mins] Magic Wand: Clarity to give us confidence [in Covid 19 and Brexit]

[48 Mins] Finding Samantha online on LinkedIn and at so-law.co.uk

JOIN US on Side Effects - email me at hello@weareten.co.uk

LISTEN to this series on iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher

This week I talk with Health Economist, Nurse and Innovator Shawna Butler RN MBA

We talk about the true reality of life in Texas at present under the Covid 19 pandemic. We explore how cutting edge innovations can, and should, come with nurses at the helm. Then define areas where clinicians should start to put their ideas into practice. If you are a nurse or other clinician who wants to turn ideas into impact, then this conversation is for you.

[0 Min] How to book my time - Mentoring with Matt

[2 Mins]  An introduction to Shawna, and her current experience of Texas and Covid.

[4 Mins] The emotional landscape of a thought leader in health in the USA today

[8 Mins] The challenge of public health

[11 Mins 30] The American healthcare system, and its exposed vulnerabilities

[16 Mins] Dying alone in Detroit: a tragic perspective in 2020

[19 Mins] A look at innovation and Nursing. From starting in the time of AIDS, through to business school and on to today. How much has changed?

[24 Mins] Thinking demand and supply and healthcare re-designed

[26 Mins] Technology and policy changes: Who does what, when and where?

[28 Mins] The EntrepreNURSE movement

[33 Mins] Critical stakeholders in the design process

[34 Mins] What Covid has revealed about Nursing?

[40 Mins] Gendered inequality in innovation

[42 Mins] What questions do Nurses ask you about entrepreneurship?

[44 Mins] Why you should explore places you would not normally go (or be invited)?

[50 Mins] Magic Wand: 1. Be Intentional 2. Impact Regulations & 3. Align financial incentives with healthcare outcomes

[1 Hour 02 Mins] Finding Shawna online at the See You Now Podcast   by  Johnson & Johnson Nursing and American Nurses Association and on Twitter

[1 Hour 03] A question to Matt as a content creator

Listen to this series on  iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher |

Join us on Side Effects.

This week I talk Wellbeing Coaching with Melanie Flower

We talk about the true benefits of coaching in regard to health and happiness. How Covid has presented new wins and losses in how we are approaching wellbeing and what we can learn from factors as wide as taking personal responsibility, to loving where we are and who we are today.

[0 Min] How to book my time - Mentoring with Matt

[2 Mins]  An Introduction to Melanie Flower

[4 Mins 30] Wellbeing Coaching and Lifestyle Medicine

[6 Mins 30] 'Why GP's are not well equipped today to deal with many challenges of chronicity

[9 Mins] Covid times and opportunities for us to build on the positives, not just fear from the negatives

[10 Mins 30] Dealing with stress

[12 Mins] 'Stepping off the hamster wheel'. Productivity does not equal worth

[14 Mins] Why overfilling calendar's (especially kids) is not always great

[16 Mins 30] The difference between Coaching and Counselling

[18 Mins] What Life coaching could look like in healthcare, replacing some of the current Doctor roles

[20 Mins] The 'revolving door patient ' and the power of chatbots (and the simple journal)

[22 Mins 30] Taking responsibility: Where the government has failed to promote healthy behaviours

[25 Mins 30] Science and things that are not 'woo-woo'. Remembering that nutrients cannot be patented

[27 Mins] Magic Wand: You only get one life, love it

[29 Mins] Finding Melanie online and on Instagram.  Sign up for her Free Weekly Newsletter

Listen to this series on  iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher |

JOIN US on Side Effects - email me at hello@weareten.co.uk

LISTEN to this series on iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher

So I thought it may be of interest to learn about my backstory, and how and why I got to this place today. I start off talking about my initial desire to work in TV and then my journey through healthcare at the Coal Face. Finally, I ask you to remember that 'your clock is ticking' and that there is no time like the present to act on your need for change.

Sound interesting? Well let's just dive in.

[1 Min]  An invitation to sign up to a Daily Dose [email]

[4 Mins] Realising that I always asked What If?

[5 Mins] 'Masters of Innovation' [IDEO] White Bear Yard, and asking how to get into design?

[7 Mins] The downside of going all in with work

[8 Mins] Nokia: What I learnt from a changing world?

[9 Mins] Building a insight and strategy agency with just naivety and bravery

[10 Mins 30] The whole Diabetes lifecycle - and realising it was a time to change in the agency

[11 Mins 30] Pivot to ANATOMY HCD

[12 Mins 30] Good Care Days: A double-sided market

[15 Mins] TEN, Matt's List or Ask Matt - Perspective, Product and people

[17 Mins] Helping others: sharing my experience a Premium access content offer in the making

[18 Mins] Top tips: 1 Ask yourself, what is it that you do/what is your superpower?

Top tips: 2. Find out how you can use where you are to test where you want to go?

[20 Mins] Top tips: 3. 'Be the change you want to see’ Gandhi) 

Top tips: 4. Believe in yourself and understand you can

[21 Mins]  Top tips: 5. Ask for help by giving help

[22 Mins 30]  Top tips: 6. Accept that your clock is ticking

[24 Mins] Sign up for the Daily Dose [email each day at 7 am]

 Listen to this series on  iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher |

Join us on Side Effects. Or get in touch to find out more about our Covid Secure, Insight On Demand offer.

Email hello@weareten.co.uk